News

Cartwright Encourages Grads: “Do What You Love”


Posted on:

< < Back to

Ohio University graduates received advice during Saturday's undergraduate commencement exercises from a voice they've grown up hearing: Bart Simpson.

Nancy Cartwright is the voice actress behind the 10-year-old television character from The Simpsons and an Ohio University alumna.  The Emmy award winner delivered remarks during both the morning and afternoon ceremonies.
 
"I've spoken at dozens of events before, I've traveled around the world, actually, doing lectures and what not, but I've never had the welcome like I had here today," said Cartwright during a post-graduation interview with WOUB News.
 
Cartwright received an honorary doctorate of communications from the university for her work in the television industry.
 
Cartwright says she wanted to use her address to encourage graduates to surround themselves with people who believe in them and their dreams.
 
"I try to have the viewpoint that you've got to look, instead of focusing on obstacles, to focus on 'what are the things that are going to help those kids?' I didn't want to go into talking about the things they held me back," said Cartwright.
"You know, everybody's got obstacles, everybody's got problems they're trying to deal with certain considerations."
 
Cartwright has also performed voice work for the shows Rugrats, Animaniacs and Kim Possible and also works as a television producer.
 
More than 3,000 students graduated during OU's 258th commencement ceremony.